It may seem a bit meta to build the offices of a shipping container company out of shipping containers, but for Australian architecture firm Room11, cargotecture was the most sensible choice. The Melbourne headquarters for Royal Wolf combines functional office space with a customer-friendly appearance. The architects used full-height glazing to replace the shipping container end walls for a light-filled and spacious interior.

To dispel the image of shipping container architecture as cramped and uncomfortable, Room11 painted the interior bone-white to create the illusion of space. Abundant floor-to-ceiling glazing and planted internal courtyards also reinforce the appearance of a spacious work environment. The shipping container’s corrugated metal skin was purposefully left exposed to display Royal Wolf’s product.

The design comprises whole 20 feet and 40 feet containers that are arranged to create four interior courtyards. The offices and reception area are centered on the largest of the courtyards, while the meeting room, kitchen, and State and regional manager offices enjoy direct views of the smaller courtyards. Two shipping containers are flipped on end to function as tall, narrow voids for skylights and to call attention to the building in the mostly flat landscape.